I am excited to publish this book for new goat owners, as well as those that have experience, and for people considering goat ownership. This is a great reference book to start or add to any goat care library!

I cover a range of topics including:

purchasing goats (things to consider and how to select)

bringing new goats to the farm

goat breeds

fencing, housing, and storage

livestock guard animals

feed and nutrition

health and wellness care

coat, hoof, and horn care

breeding and pregnancy

birthing

raising kids

milking

ways to use goat milk

My husband sat down and read the book proof as I was cross-referencing page numbers. He said, “I’ve learned about goats all over again! I had forgotten so many things.”

This book is a true and absolute work from my heart. I hope many people enjoy and learn from it for many years to come!

I do not tell many kidding stories. A person tends to get used to the births, despite the fact that they are quite miraculous.

Iris had kids a couple of days ago. It was a “different” experience.

Iris is an average sized alpine doe. She normally needs a bit of assistance. I seldom need to help any of my other does. I prefer letting nature do its thing.

The story unfolds as such…Sunday morning Iris was standing off to herself. She is a bit more vocal when labor is in progress.

I was concerned to see the remnants of a water sack hanging from her. The order of things was not what I normally see. In fact, I looked around for a dead kid. I decided to put Iris in a small stall, with the notion that I would check on her every 20 minutes. I headed up to the house.

A few minutes after I entered the back door I heard Iris grunting. I also heard another grunt that was not hers.

I headed back down to the barn. Snowball, a snubian, first time freshener, was in labor. She picked a precarious place to have a kid, in a doorway. Half of my herd was looking at me as to say, “Traffic jam!” I urged Snowball towards the middle of the barn, which was readied with clean straw bedding.

I turned to check on Iris, sounding more desperate. I saw one hoof. Just one. Ugh. Not good.

Snowball started grunting loudly. One hoof, then 2nd hoof. She screamed louder. My goats normally do not scream, and normally I do not need to assist.

I took another glance at Iris. Still one hoof.

Snowball began pushing again. I looked at the hooves, made sure they were pointing in the right direction. They didn’t look right. I went in. Felt one head. It was positioned correctly. I decided to pull. It was a job. Wow. But we did it. Mother and new buckling (male goat) are fine.

I checked on Iris, talking to her, “I will not do anything until I see 2 hooves.” Something seemed off. Even the color of the discharge. Dark yellow.

Iris began pushing again, no progress. So, I checked. I felt a head in the right position, and said, “Okay, girl, when you push, I will pull!” Wow, another struggle, but we got that beautiful doeling (young female goat) out.

I knew Iris was not finished. I said to her, “Well, momma, your next one will be fairly simple.” I’ll stand back and wait. I left the pen open.

It was not long before Iris laid down and grunted. No hoof. Not even one. Then I see a tongue. A nose. No hoof.

I was tired, so was she. I am tired a lot lately. It tends to make me very careful and aware with judgement calls.

I went in, beyond the kid’s neck. Shoulders only, legs back. Oh oh. Another push. Out comes an ear.

I cleared the nose and the mouth. The kid took a breath.

And for whatever reason, Iris shoot out of the pen and ran to the back of the barn. A very dirty end of the barn.

The kid’s eyes are open, the head was completely out, and Iris was going at a good trot. Well, she doesn’t run well when her udder is that swollen, and especially while in labor.

And…I was laughing. I said to her, as I calmly walked behind her, “You are one crazy goat chick!”

I told her she was not going to have a kid in that dirt!

So I let her lay down. I gently urged the kids head forward (not a good thing to put much pressure on). I did get a tiny bit of forward movement. I went in and found a leg folded back. Finally, leverage! It wasn’t a difficult pull, I got the 2nd doeling out and I laid her on momma’s side.

I’ll never forget goofy Iris flying down the barn. Her legs were spraying outwards. The kid’s eyes were open. She was going for a ride! What a way to start a new life.

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